Protests held in SSS offices nationwide

Several offices of the Social Security System across the country were picketed this morning by pensioners, senior citizens, their families, workers and other sectors of society calling for a P2,000 across-the-board hike in pensions, which Pres. Noynoy Aquino vetoed two weeks ago.

The protestors, led by national labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno, held pickets in front of SSS offices in Quezon City, Baguio, Calamba, Legaspi, Iloilo, Kalibo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Davao cities and claimed that they won’t stop holding protests until the pension hike is implemented.

Calling their action “Kalampagin ang SSS,” the protestors called on senior citizens lining up for their pensions inside the SSS offices to join them and banged empty pots and pans as they shouted their call “Pensyon sa SSS, dagdagan, dagdagan! Across-the-board, two thousand!”

“No amount of silence from Aquino and no amount of lies from his publicists would stop the clamor for a P2,000 pension hike. Those in favor of the pension hike are getting angrier and eager to join protests and other activities to speak out,” said Roger Soluta, KMU vice-chairperson.

The labor leader said many of those who have been following the issue were not convinced with Aquino’s excuse that the SSS would go bankrupt if the pension hike is approved.

“Many of those who have an interest in this issue know that the SSS has the funds for the pension hike, that the SSS can and must do a lot of things to extend its fund life, and that the government can even subsidize the pension hike. There’s no way Aquino can convince pensioners and their supporters to give up,” Soluta added.

KMU called on pensioners and all workers and Filipinos to join the January 30 activity at the Quezon City Memorial Circle titled “Sama-Samang Sigaw” which is expected to be the biggest gathering so far of those clamoring for a pension hike.